Cera Khin doesn’t slow down. When we caught up with her in the days leading to the release of her explosive new single, Mamichula, the Tunisian-born, Berlin-shaped and Barcelona-based DJ was radiating the same restless energy that’s made her one of the defining figures of the global hard dance resurgence. Known for her ‘I play whatever the fuck I want’ mantra and razor-sharp transitions between hardgroove, trance, schranz, and acid, she has turned defiance into an art form — one that now finds a new outlet through her own voice. “I was scared to use my voice at first,” she admits, “but now I can’t stop grinning.”
The result is Mamichula, a track that distills everything Cera stands for: fun, power, and fearless authenticity. More than just a club weapon, it’s a self-affirming anthem celebrating imperfection and self-confidence with a seductive, tongue-in-cheek flair. In our conversation, she opens up about this new creative chapter, her evolution as a producer, and how fashion has become central to her expression, particularly through her collaborations with Barcelona’s underground goth designers like Emiliana Rat. Captured by photographer Vinyet, Cera embodies the fierce energy of a main stage headliner and the subversive elegance of a modern goth icon.
Hello Cera! I saw on your stories that you were recently in Tokyo. How was your time there, and how are you feeling after these intense weeks on the road?
Tokyo’s my favourite city — culture, food, a wild mix of futuristic vibes and old-school charm. An hour away, you’re in a dreamy, quiet little town straight from a Studio Ghibli/Miyazaki movie. Now I’m back in Europe, back to my Euro gigs. Tokyo, I’m grateful as hell I got to live it and I can’t wait to be back soon!
You’ve been travelling non-stop: Ibiza, Rotterdam, Paris, Ljubljana, Córdoba, and then stops in Tokyo and Taipei. What have been the highlights of this run so far, and what balance do you make of the tour up to now?
As you guessed it, Tokyo is my highlight. Those Blade Runner vibe streets mixed with ancient temples… the juxtaposition? UNREAL. And balance? Really hard on tour. Sleep? Forget it. But as soon as I’m home, I catch up on healthy eating, hit the gym, and force myself back into a real sleep schedule. The recovery time is super underrated.
You’re known for bringing high energy to every set. How do you keep that intensity night after night when you’re constantly moving from city to city?
Staying sober keeps me sharp; no headaches, no hangovers. I skip afterparties and crash right after my set. Sounds boring, but it means I can hit the decks hard every night and still function like a normal human being, or more like a vampire, lol.
How do you maintain that balance between control and spontaneity during a set?
My sets are totally spontaneous. I may know the first two tracks just to lock in, but after that? I freestyle it. Depends on the crowd, the room, and the energy. I’m pretty good at reading people and steering them somewhere fresh. And since I’m super eclectic, control just means trusting myself and trusting the process.
“Staying sober keeps me sharp; no headaches, no hangovers. I skip afterparties and crash right after my set. Sounds boring, but it means I can hit the decks hard every night and still function.”
You’re celebrating the release of Mamichula. What sparked this track, and what convinced you to use your own vocals for the first time?
The idea hit on a long, stupid flight home from somewhere, brain fried. Suddenly, these Spanish lyrics just… arrive. “Una mamichula, una mami sexy, una mami peligrosa.” I laughed, recorded them on my phone, and went straight to the studio when I landed. And vocals? First time, yeah. Didn’t plan it. I was gonna get someone else, but once I sang it, it felt right. Too real, you know? This song’s about owning every messy part of you. Not posing, just standing up, talking back, owning your power. Not fake confidence, just total confidence. That’s the baddie anthem!
The hook, “soy una mami peligrosa, una mami sexy, mamichula,” feels instantly empowering. What do you hope the crowd experiences when listening to it?
The hook’s simple: remind every baddie to speak up, own your power, never shrink. Embrace the good days, the bad days, the insecurities, the imperfections, every flaw. And shine anyway. That’s mamichula!
You constantly say that you play “whatever the fuck I want.” Did stepping behind the mic feel like a natural extension of that same attitude?
Yeah, stepping behind the mic was scary, but I don’t back down from scary. I love the challenge. And once I started, it just clicked. Why not? Same zero-fucks energy I bring to the decks, just louder. And yeah, I’m damn proud I did it!
Your stage looks have become part of your signature as an artist. How does fashion influence the way you perform and engage with the audience?
Fashion and music go hand in hand for me. If I’m light and uplifting, soft nude outfits, trancy bounce, happy uplifting chords. If I’m dark, full gothic, intense sets. They’re the same energy.
You often collaborate with Barcelona-based goth designers for your custom stage pieces. What draws you to that scene, and how do those collaborations usually begin?
Recently, I collaborated with Emiliana Rat. Their stuff’s dark but cute, sexy without trying too hard, plus funny slogans that make you smirk. Total vibe match!
If you had to describe your on-stage style as a character or a mood, what would it be?
On stage, I’m a Tomb Raider–Dita Von Teese hybrid: fearless, sexy, goth chic but with Hello Kitty heart fingers mid-set. Still goofy, still cute.
CK Invites had a standout first year with sold-out shows in Barcelona, Paris, and London. What have you learned from curating and hosting your own series compared to guest appearances at other events?
CK Invites is my way to push female artists and new talents, especially the new ones. Build a cute lineup, give them the spotlight. Compared to guest spots, where I just show up and play, this one matters more. I pick who goes next. I make sure they’re seen.
Nearly ninety per cent of the CK Invites lineups have featured femme artists. Was that intentional from the start, or did it develop naturally through your network?
It was one hundred per cent intentional. I want to support rising female artists. There are so many talented women who just aren’t getting heard yet, and if I can throw the light on them, I will. I’m happy to do it.
“I’ve always lived in that fast BPM world, it’s in my blood. I don’t want chill vibes, I want people to sweat!”
You were born in Tunisia, lived in Berlin, and now call Barcelona home. How have these different cities influenced your sound and approach as a DJ and producer?
Tunisia gave me the spice, Berlin shaped me, and Barcelona just turned up the sun. Dark Berlin techno still lives in me, but now it’s mixed with brighter, bouncier vibes. Honestly, I’m happiest when I’m not taking myself too seriously.
What do you love most about living in Barcelona, and how do you view the city’s creative scene right now?
I love Barcelona for the sun, I never had that in Berlin. Five-minute walk to the beach, food that doesn’t need any filter, people who actually smile back. And the scene? It’s exploding. Not polished, just raw. Maybe that’s why it feels like anything could happen here. I’m not even sure what’ll be big next year, and that’s kind of perfect!
You often move between hardgroove, trance, schranz, and acid within that 155-165 BPM range. What keeps drawing you back to that tempo?
I’ve always lived in that fast BPM world, 155-165 BPM. It’s in my blood. And yeah, it’s a total workout, that’s why I call it Technogym (laughs). By the end, your heart’s racing, you’re drenched, and when you walk out, you feel like you just lifted weights. I don’t want chill vibes. I want people to sweat!
Hard dance has now reached the main stages of the world’s most renowned festivals. What’s the biggest misconception about the genre you’d like to challenge?
The misconception is that you need drugs to handle hard dance. Truth? You don’t. Going sober actually makes it better: your head stays sharp so you catch every drop, your body gets this pure endorphin rush, like hitting the gym but with better lights, and you wake up tomorrow remembering every second of it instead of blacked-out regret. I swear, once you train your body to dance clean, the high’s cleaner, lasts longer, and nobody can fake that.
Looking ahead, what excites you most: new music, fashion projects or unexpected collaborations?
2025 has been incredible. Grateful for CK777 Recordings releases, CK Invites, and playing in big ass festivals like Monegros, EDC, or elrow. All of it. And in 2026? More abundance, more growth, more fun and more space to be even louder.
Any message you’d like to send to the world?
Stay true to yourself. Stay sexy. Stay fun, stay humble and… STAY mamichula!
